Today's News

Friday
Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. South wind 5-10 mph, increasing to 15-20 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent. A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms at night. Partly cloudy, with a low around 49. South wind 15-20 mph, decreasing to 10-15 mph after midnight.

Saturday
A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. South wind 10-20 mph. A 10 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms at night. Partly cloudy, with a low around 49.

SANTA FE — New Mexico’s 15 state-run museums and historic sites will be free this summer for active duty members of the military and their families.
The free admission will be offered from Memorial Day through Labor Day as part of the national Blue Star Museums program.

By Julie Pace and Lara Jakes
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Thursday defended America’s controversial drone attacks as legal, effective and a necessary linchpin in an evolving U.S. counterterrorism policy. But he acknowledged the targeted strikes are no “cure-all” and said he is haunted by the civilians unintentionally killed.

THUMBS DOWN! VANDALISM AT RHS
Whether it was a senior prank that got out of hand or simply some other disgruntled individuals blowing off steam, the vandalism at Robertson High School over the weekend crossed the line. Trashing the school was disrespectful and unlawful, and it was a slap in the face to every person at the school who devotes his or her life to educating students. Those responsible must be caught and punished. And part of that punishment should include being forced to pay for the damage and the cleanup.

The longest single ownership of the Optic began in 1967, when brothers Robert and Stuart Beck purchased the newspaper. The Beck family published the Optic for the next 35 years, and while old newspaper articles indicate it was the two brothers who owned the Optic, Stuart Beck’s wife Lois was also an owner, and managing editor for more than 20 years.

Editor’s Comment: This is the sixth in a series of columns addressing issues associated with oil and gas development in San Miguel County. The columns were written by participants in PROTECT San Miguel county, a local all-volunteer grass-roots organization. The group has been working with the county’s oil and gas task force for three years, has toured several existing oil and gas producing facilities, and has been collecting extensive research on the issues. More information is at http://PROTECTsmc.org.

Below are some of the government agencies, banks and schools that will be closed on Monday in observance of Memorial Day.
• City of Las Vegas offices: Closed
• Trash pickup: Commercial routes will run as normal. Residential routes scheduled for Monday will be picked up on Tuesday. The transfer station will be closed Monday. If there is a problem, call 429-0214
• Abelino Montoya Recreation Center: Open regular hours 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday
• Carnegie Public Library: Closed

TODAY HOY
• The Memorial Service for all deceased patients of the New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute, scheduled for Friday, May 24 has been cancelled because of ongoing construction. For more information, call Lisa M. Apodaca at 454-2680.
• United World College graduation, 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 24 on the campus’ soccer field located in Montezuma.
• Robertson High School graduation, 10 a.m. on Friday, May 24 at Michael Marr Gym.